The European Union has taken a historical step when reaching a provisional political agreement that will allow 17 -year -old young people to get cars and trucks. However, this new regulation comes with an added condition, since minors must drive accompanied by an experienced driver until they reach the age of majority, at which time they can circulate independently.
The European Union Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on Tuesday, which must be formally approved by the European Union Council – through the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper), formed by the ambassadors of the member countries of the community Europe – and the Eurochamber. Once published in the EU Official Gazette, community states will have four years to transpose the new directive to their national laws.
The measure aims to reduce the shortage of professional drivers. For this, community institutions agreed to introduce a driving system accompanied by permission (c). This will allow 17 -year -olds to get the card to drive trucks whenever they are accompanied by an experienced driver until they meet the age of majority, so that they acquire skill at the wheel. The accompanied driving can be generalized to car drivers.
In addition, the minimum age to obtain driving trucks will be reduced from 21 to 18 years and for the bus, from 24 to 21 years, provided that the applicant possesses a professional competence certificate.
The accompanied driving appears in the directive update on the driving license, initially proposed by the European Commission in March 2023 in the framework of a package of measures to improve road safety in the EU (about 20,000 people die every year on community roads) and approach the objective of zero deaths by road accidents in 2050. The last important reform occurred in 2006 and was transposed by the member states until 2013.
Digital card and trial period
In addition, novel drivers will have a proof period of at least two years after approving the exam, during which they would be subject to certain restrictions, such as stricter limits of alcohol or drugs or higher sanctions for not wearing the seat belt.
Additionally, it has been agreed to introduce a digital driving license, available on a mobile phone and totally equivalent to the physical card.
Countries will be five years and six months to start it after the entry into force of the updated directive, that is, at the end of 2030, approximately. However, drivers will have the right to ask for physical driving license.
The driving and cars driving permissal are valid for 15 years. Countries may shorten that period for drivers of at least 65 years. Before obtaining their first driving license, drivers must undergo a medical examination that includes an evaluation of the hearing and cardiovascular state.
However, countries can choose to replace medical examination with self -assessment forms or, in case of renovation of the card, for other alternative measures.
Another agreed issue is that adjustments can be made to facilitate citizens to obtain a carné of driving cars when they reside in a Member State of the EU different from their nationality.
Thus, it will be possible to perform exams and obtain a driving license in the Member State of the Nationality, in case it is not possible to perform the exams in one of the official languages of this country.
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